As of December 2, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), is celebrating the success of its initiative, Pink Rescue Buoy initiative that has rescued up to 200 people since its launch in 2017.
Amid all the drownings have been taking place this year, the NSRI through its initiative, has been committed to saving lives one day at a time as it celebrates its huge success this year by managing to save at least 200 people.
The NSRI is a registered non-profit organisation that is committed to drowning prevention and focused on saving lives, changing lives and creating futures for those threatened by drowning in South Africa.
The Pink Rescue Buoy project was launched to provide a simple, easy-to-use rescue device at popular yet sometimes dangerous swimming spots. The Pink Buoys, easily visible from afar, are positioned at beaches, rivers, and dams.
They encourage bystanders to act safely and quickly in an emergency, get the correct emergency number from the Pink Buoy sign, and ensure that assistance is available to the person in distress while awaiting formal rescue services.
NSRI CEO Mike Vonk said, “We are thrilled with the 200 lives we know have been saved using a Pink Buoy so far, underscoring the importance of readily making them available at high-risk locations.
“The rescue of a young man and his father from a rip current at the Clovelly corner of Fish Hoek beach on Saturday, using a body board and Pink Rescue Buoy, marks the 200th successful rescue of a person in danger of drowning that we know of.
“The Pink Rescue Buoy project has been a game-changer regarding community involvement in water safety. Each Pink Buoy serves as a symbol of safety, provides a lifeline to those in distress and raises awareness about the dangers of water,” said Vonk.
NSRI's Communications Manager, Andrew Ingram spoke and emphasised the importance of public awareness and the role of untrained people in the initiative's success,
“The Pink Rescue Buoy is effective because it enables ordinary people to make a difference. Time is critical in any drowning situation, and having these buoys available means that anyone nearby can assist without putting themselves in unnecessary danger. We’ve seen numerous instances where, thanks to a Pink Rescue Buoy, lives that might otherwise have been lost have been saved.” Ingram said.
The Pink Rescue Buoy initiative as well as the NSRI’s Water Safety Education and Survival Swimming programs form part of an extensive approach to water safety which relies heavily on community engagement.
Ingram further urged the communities to play a vital role in assisting and preventing the drownings from taking place.
“The community plays a critical role in helping us prevent drownings. Whether it's a member of the public using a Pink Rescue Buoy to save a life or someone passing on water safety knowledge to a child, every action counts. These collective efforts are what make our programs successful.”
The NSRI is encouraging the public to support them in order to expand their drowning prevention projects so that more lives in the future can be saved.
IOL